FINGHIN COLLINS – PIANO

 

“The point was underscored by Finghin Collins's finely judged playing, his understated moodiness giving way to bags of charm and panache."

Tim Ashley, The Guardian, September 10th 2010

 

Finghin Collins was born in Dublin in 1977 and studied piano with John O’Conor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and with Dominique Merlet at the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève, graduating with a BA in Music Performance in Dublin and a premier prix avec distinction in Geneva. From a young age he was a multiple prizewinner in national and international competitions, culminating in his victory at the Clara Haskil Competition in Vevey, Switzerland in 1999.

 

Over the past decade Collins has performed in many of the world’s major musical centres, collaborating with the finest orchestras and conductors. In September 2010 he made his second appearance at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, performing with the BBC Philharmonic under Gianandrea Noseda. He has also developed a close relationship with Claves Records in Switzerland, recording two double CDs of Schumann’s piano music (winning numerous awards including Gramophone’s Editor’s Choice in 2006), and more recently recording a CD of works for piano and orchestra by Charles V. Stanford with the RTÉ NSO.

 

A recent development is his appointment as the first ever Associate Artist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for three seasons, commencing in September 2010.  During this period he will perform all twenty-three piano concertos by Mozart, the majority of them directed from the piano. He is also Artistic Director of the New Ross Piano Festival, which celebrated its fifth year in 2010.  He acknowledges the support of The Arts Council and Music Network through the Music Capital Scheme 2008.

 

See www.finghincollins.com for more.